Nexus S 4G NFC release update confirmed: Features

With the imminent launch of the Samsung Galaxy S II, it is no surprise that we suggested that the Nexus S 4G is now an aging device. However, Sprint has an ace up its sleeve, as the Nexus S 4G NFC release update has been confirmed, along with a list of other useful features. Mark July 11 in your calendar, as that is the day that the update will be ready for download.

The inclusion of NFC is by far the best new feature in this upcoming update, one that will see the implementation of Google Wallet. No longer will you have to carry your credit/debit card around with you – well not unless a store does not accept the latest form of payment. So what other updates can we expect from GRJ90?

The first is the already mentioned Near Field Communication, the second is 4G settings widgets, third is TTY support, fourth NI push support, fifth improvements to Wi-Fi, audio quality and 4G throughput, and finally Tuned signal strength indicators. You can see that this is not a huge update, but it is one with significance.

As we mentioned above the update will begin on July 11, but Sprintfeed does say that it will be pushed out gradually over a four-day period. So just hold tight if your Nexus S 4G does not get the upgrade after a day or two. However, for those who are too eager to wait then you can always try to push for a manual download instead.

Once NFC has been enabled on this device, then we can see that there will be a little bit more life injected into it. What we will find amazing is how an aging Android smartphone will be able to offer something that the upcoming iPhone 5 will not, as Apple has already suggested that they will not support this technology in their next iPhone –which is a bit of a shock.

It does seem as though Apple will never been backed into a corner and add a new feature if the market is not fully ready for it. This is something that they have always done, and seems to be working for them so far.

This update could be the final stepping-stone to Ice Cream Sandwich, which is expected to be the next update – although that will be the major one, unlike GRJ90. Are you happy with the feature updates, or could there have been more?